Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the solo developer behind the hugely successful farming simulation Stardew Valley, has addressed the possibility of a sequel during a recent appearance on the TigerBelly podcast with Bobby Lee.
While Barone stated he “might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2,” he explained that his current preference is to continue expanding the original game. “It’s so much easier to add more stuff to Stardew Valley than make a new game from scratch,” Barone said during the podcast.
This approach has been Barone’s consistent strategy since Stardew Valley‘s 2016 release. The game has received numerous substantial free updates, including the recent 1.6 update that added new crops, locations, and features to the beloved farming sim.
Barone noted that while ongoing updates are his preferred method for expanding the game, there are certain limitations to this approach. Major overhauls to core gameplay systems, combat mechanics, or adding entirely new towns would be better suited for a sequel rather than retrofitting them into the existing game.
The developer is also currently working on his next title, Haunted Chocolatier, which was announced in 2021. This new game centers around running a chocolate shop with what appears to be similar simulation elements to Stardew Valley, but in a distinctly different setting.
Stardew Valley stands as one of indie gaming’s biggest success stories, having sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The game’s continued popularity has been fueled by Barone’s dedication to adding substantial free content years after release, a relatively uncommon practice in an industry where sequels and paid DLC are the norm.
One man farm operation
Remarkably, Barone developed Stardew Valley entirely by himself—handling programming, art, music, and design—and continues to maintain the same hands-on approach with updates. This direct relationship with his creation likely contributes to his preference for expanding the original rather than starting anew.
For fans hoping for a sequel, Barone’s comments neither confirm nor deny its eventual creation. For now, players can expect the original Stardew Valley to continue growing while Haunted Chocolatier develops in parallel.
